Kings XI Punjab on Wednesday, released five players, including major overseas players such as Glenn Maxwell, Sheldon Cottrell and Mujeeb Ur Rahman, ahead of the 2021 season of the Indian Premier League.
The franchise decided to retain skipper KL Rahul as well as Mayank Agarwal. Only three overseas players have been retained that includes Chris Gayle, Nicholas Pooran and Chris Jordan.
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In the bowling unit, pacers Mohammed Shami, alongside spinners Ravi Bishnoi and Murugan Ashwin have been retained. A total of 13 Indian players have been retained including Mandeep Singh and Sarfaraz Khan.
A Kings XI Punjab blog post quoted coach Anil Kumble saying, “The plan was to keep the core of the team, and make sure the players who were part of the team last season will continue this year as well. We believe that this group along with whoever we pick at the auctions to fill those gaps will be able to turn things around for Kings XI Punjab.”
Domestic players such as Prabhsimran Singh, Harpreet Brar, Ishan Porel and Darshan Nalkande have been given an opportunity.
Players retained: KL Rahul, Chris Gayle, Mayank Agarwal, Nicholas Pooran, Mandeep Singh, Sarfaraz Khan, Deepak Hooda, Prabhsimran Singh, Mohammed Shami, Chris Jordan, Darshan Nalkande, Ravi Bishnoi, Murugan Ashwin, Arshdeep Singh, Harpreet Brar, Ishan Porel.
Players released: Glenn Maxwell, Karun Nair, Hardus Viljoen, Jagadeesha Suchith, Mujeeb ur Rahman, Sheldon Cottrell, Jimmy Neesham, Krishnappa Gowtham, Tajinder Singh.
